The best road cycling routes around Lyme Regis

If you’re visiting St Mary's Church in Marshwood, you’re stepping into a Victorian "reboot" of a much older story. While it looks like a classic 19th-century country church, its history is a bit of a survivor's tale, involving ruins, 2,000-person parties, and birds hidden in the stone. Opening Times The church is part of the Golden Cap Team of Churches and is generally open every day for visitors (typically from around 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM). Sunday Best: Services are usually held at 11:00 AM, but check the local noticeboard in the porch—it's the village's "analog social media" and always has the most up-to-date timings. School Days: The church has a very cool partnership with the adjacent primary school. Don't be surprised if you see kids using the building as a classroom or hall! The "New" Old Church The original medieval chapel was closer to Marshwood Castle but became a ruin by the 1600s. The current building was a 19th-century "do-over": The Party of 1840: When they laid the foundation stone for the new tower in 1840, about 2,000 people turned up to watch. That’s a massive crowd for a tiny village—it must have been the Iron Age equivalent of a stadium concert! The "Pecking Birds": Keep a sharp eye on the stone pillars inside. The capitals (the tops of the pillars) are carved with "stiff-leaf" foliage and tiny birds pecking at the leaves. It’s like a Victorian version of Where's Waldo. A Bargain Rebuild: Most of the church was rebuilt in 1884 for just £900. While that sounds cheap now, back then it was a huge community effort led by the local Reverend. Why it’s Worth a Peek Aside from the bird-spotting, the church offers a quiet, contemplative atmosphere with great views over the Marshwood Vale. It’s constructed from local rubble walls with ashlar dressings, giving it a rugged, "honest" look that perfectly matches the surrounding Dorset hills.

Cannington viaduct loop from lyme regis

If you’re looking for a breakfast that feels like a big, warm hug, The Town Mill Bakery is your spiritual home in Lyme Regis. This isn't your average "grab-and-go" spot; it’s a rustic, communal experience where you sit at long wooden trestle tables and pass the jam like one big happy family. The Vibe: It’s all about the open-plan theater of baking—watch the bakers work their magic while the scent of fresh sourdough fills the air. The Food: Reviewers rave about the "build-your-own" toast style and their legendary almond croissants. Self-Service Fun: Grab your own coffee and settle in for a slow, cozy morning by the mill stream.

If you’re heading to Beer Beach in East Devon, don’t expect a sandy tropical paradise—and definitely don’t expect actual beer flowing from the cliffs (though the name is a great conversation starter). Instead, you get a quintessential, "old-school" British fishing cove that’s basically a natural suntrap tucked between towering white chalk cliffs. It’s part of the Jurassic Coast, so it’s millions of years of history served with a side of fish and chips. Why it’s a "Vibe": The Boats: This isn't a harbor with a pier; the local fishermen literally winch their colorful boats right up onto the shingle (pebble) beach. It’s like a live-action painting watching them bring in the daily catch of mackerel and crab. The "Pebble Massage": Forget sand in your shoes; here, you get smooth, grey pebbles. Pro-tip: Rent one of the iconic blue and white deckchairs. Your lower back will thank you, and you’ll look like a 1950s movie star. The Beach Cafes: There are little huts right on the shingle where you can grab a crab sandwich or a cream tea. Eating fresh seafood while your toes are three feet from the waves? Hard to beat. The Name: Sadly, "Beer" comes from the Old English word bearu, meaning "grove" or "wood." But don't let that stop you—the village has plenty of actual beer in its cozy pubs like The Anchor Inn, which has a cliff-top garden with elite views. Hidden Gems Nearby: Beer Quarry Caves: Just up the road, you can take a tour of the massive underground caverns where the famous "Beer Stone" was mined for cathedrals like Exeter and Westminster Abbey. It’s like a cool, damp cathedral hidden inside a hill. The Coastal Path: If you walk west toward Branscombe, you’ll tackle some steep "stairway to heaven" climbs, but the views of the white cliffs against the blue sea are pure magic.

Jurassic Coast - here, as a touring cyclist, you get a nice access with wonderful views, swimming options and good restaurants.

So much history in one building, I've created a highlight which includes all the amazing history,plus about 60 pictures. It's well worth a visit

* Historical Significance: A church was first founded on the site in the 9th century by Alfred the Great. The current building incorporates various architectural styles, including Norman, Early English, and Perpendicular, reflecting centuries of reconstruction and expansion. * Connection to Sir George Somers: The grave of Sir George Somers, who founded the colony of Bermuda and whose adventures are said to have inspired Shakespeare's "The Tempest," is located under the vestry. * Dorset County Symbol: St. Wite is the patron saint of Dorset, and her cross was adopted as the new county symbol in a public vote in 2008. The church continues to be an active Church of England parish church and is lovingly cared for by a local group, the Friends of St Candida.

Undisturbed Relics of St. Wite (St. Candida): It is one of only two churches in England (the other being Westminster Abbey) that still contains the undisturbed relics of the saint to whom it is dedicated, St. Wite (also known by her Latin name, St. Candida). This has created an unbroken line of pilgrimage to her shrine for over 1,000 years. "Cathedral of the Vale": It is known locally as "The Cathedral of the Vale" due to its historical significance and prominence in the Marshwood Vale. * Ancient Pilgrimage Site: The church has been a significant pilgrimage site for over a millennium, with pilgrims historically drawn by the reputation of St. Wite and the belief in the healing powers of her shrine. The shrine has three holes in its base where the sick could place body parts or offerings in hopes of miraculous healing. * Survival of the Reformation: Remarkably, the shrine and its relics survived the English Reformation, during which many such sacred sites were destroyed.